CCPD hires new Arts and Sciences counselor

The Center for Career and Professional Development hired Andrea Skimbo as the new counselor for the College of Arts and Sciences in hopes she could implement changes and address student concerns of an approach tailored to business and engineering students.

Skimbo, who started her new position Aug. 26, is already meeting with students and hosting walk-in hours.

“That was the advantage of coming with a background in career services is that I can get right to work here,” she said. “I’ve been meeting with a lot of students.”

Skimbo grew up in Quakertown and she obtained her undergraduate degrees in photography and digital imaging at Virginia Intermont College. She completed her master’s in college student development at Oklahoma State University.

Skimbo said she has experienced two main differences between Oklahoma State and Lehigh: a geographic change and the transition from a state school to a private university.

“I’ve been working with the arts and sciences population, specifically, for over three years,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of good ideas that were successful at Oklahoma State University that I’m going to try here — some upcoming workshops and programs, especially in the spring, that are going to target arts and science students.”

One of her ideas is to hold a digital resume workshop for students in the arts to showcase their work.

Skimbo said the CCPD staff is eager to let her use her skills and ready to train her and help her learn about Lehigh.

“I’ve been very impressed with the caliber of the students that I’ve been working with already,” she said. “I really like what I do — it’s a good fit for me.”

Before last week’s Career Expo, Skimbo sent out an email to all arts and sciences students, providing them with helpful tips for making the expo a success.

“Arts and sciences face a lot of the same challenges that the other colleges do, but they are unique to them and part of my job is to address these,” Skimbo said. “I have a good background with what they need.”

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences, however, don’t feel as though the CCPD’s resources are catered toward their needs.

Lauren Vargas, ’19, a biology major with minors in psychology and health, medicine and society, expressed her frustration with the Career Expo.

“(The Career Expo) is not geared toward my major,” Vargas said. “I think they gear (the prospective employers) toward business and engineering (students).”

Danielle Margolis, ’18, a student in the business school, echoed Vargas’ sentiment.

“The businesses don’t advertise for arts and sciences students as much,” Margolis said.

Margolis said she thinks the opportunities for the arts and sciences students come out later in year.

Skimbo said the Career Expo is only one way the CCPD can help students. She said arts and sciences students should use the resources on the website, reach out to her and take advantage of everything else the center has to offer.

If students are looking to get involved with the CCPD, Skimbo said they should first use the resources on the website. Those resources are not meant to replace the counselors, but to help students be better prepared when they do meet with them.

“There is a lot of opportunity to meet with staff,” Skimbo said. “You just need to find what (time) works for you.”

When it does come time for students to meet with a counselor, they are provided with two options, Skimbo said. Students can come to walk-in hours everyday from 2:30 to 4 p.m., or they can call the front desk and set up a 30-minute meeting.

“If you don’t take advantage of the center, then that’s on you,” Vargas said.